DEMING – A sensor activation from a rescue beacon alerted the U.S. Border Patrol to deploy all their efforts to save a man’s life.

During the early morning hours on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Camp Ramsey Forward Operating Base (FOB) responded to an area near a rescue beacon and encountered a 36-year old male Mexican National. The male appeared coherent and responsive, however he had expressed he had no feeling in his lower extremities.

Horse Patrol agents responded to the area and found the distressed male near the rescue beacon. An Office of Air and Marine Helicopter along with Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technicians landed to assist the agents on scene.

The distressed male was airlifted to Mimbres Memorial Hospital located in Deming, New Mexico for further evaluation.

Later that afternoon, Doctors at Mimbres Hospital in Deming informed the agents that the 36-year old male was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis and would remain at the hospital for observation and treatment.

According to WedMD.com, Rhabdomyolysis is a serious syndrome due to a direct or indirect muscle injury. It results from the death of muscle fibers and release of their contents into the bloodstream. This can lead to serious complications such as renal (kidney) failure. This means the kidneys cannot remove waste and concentrated urine. In rare cases, rhabdomyolysis can even cause death. However, prompt treatment often brings a good outcome.

Currently, there are hundreds of rescue beacons strategically located throughout the southwest border where migrants are more likely to fall victim to the environment when abandoned by unscrupulous human smugglers. Rescue beacons are deployed in remote areas where cellular phones and other communication devices do not function. They are designed to be visible form long distances and offer lifesaving assistance to those persons stranded or lost.

U.S. Border Patrol Agents actively train to save lives and are readily available to deploy all of their assets and abilities to any emergent situation. During Fiscal Year 2018, U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector have rescued 13 immigrants in distress.